This section explains why it is
important to keep your vehicle well
maintained and how to f ollow basic
maintenance saf ety precautions.
This section also includes
instructions on how to read the
Maintenance Minder messages on
the multi-information display, and
instructions f or simple maintenance
tasks you may want to take care of
yourself .
If you have the skills and tools to
perf orm more complex maintenance
tasks on your vehicle, you may want
to purchase the service manual. See
page f or inf ormation on how to
obtain a copy, or see your dealer.U.S. Vehicles:
......................
Maintenance Saf ety .530
.................
Maintenance Minder . 531
..............................
Fluid Locations .541
......
Engine Compartment Covers . 542
........................
Adding Engine Oil .543
Changing the Engine Oil and ...........................................
Filter .544
..............................
Engine Coolant .546
....................
Windshield Washers .548
.......................
Transmission Fluid .549
..........
Automatic Transmission . 549
..............
Manual Transmission . 551
................
Brake and Clutch Fluid . 553
....................................
Timing Belt .554
.............................................
Lights .555
................
Cleaning the Seat Belts . 564
.....................................
Floor Mats .565
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter . 566
.................................
Exterior Care .566
.................................
Wiper Blades .566
...............................................
Tires .568
...................
Checking the Battery . 577
.............................
Vehicle Storage .578
..................................
Interior Care .579
633
Maintenance
Maintenance, replacement, or
repair of emissions control
devices and systems may be done
by any automotive repair
establishment or individual using
parts that are ‘‘certif ied’’ to EPA
standards.
Maint enance
529
TM
11/01/14 19:26:43 31TK4630_534
2012 TL
................................
AAC .273, 313,365
....................................
Accessories .479
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key .....................................
Position) .151
ACCESSORY Mode ...................
(Power Mode) . 184,185
............
Accessory Power Sockets . 215
................
Active Head Restraints . 165
....................................
AcuraLink
. 449
....................
Additives, Engine Oil . 544
...........................
Advanced Airbags .28
...............................
Airbag (SRS) .9, 24
..........
Airbag System Components . 24
......
Air Conditioning System . 226,227
.........................................
Usage .228
...............
Air Pressure, Tires . 568,570
......................................
Antif reeze .546
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) ...............................
Indicator .66, 508
...................................
Operation .508
..............
Anti-thef t, Audio System . 390
Anti-thef t Steering Column ....................................
Lock .151, 189
................................
Audio System .235 .
Automatic Lighting Off Feature . 141
...
Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners . 22
.............
Automatic Speed Control . 401
..............
Automatic Transmission . 494
..........................
Capacity, Fluid .614
...............
Checking Fluid Level . 549
..........................
Paddle Shif ters .499
.......................................
Shif ting .495
Shif t Lever Position ...............................
Indicators .494
....................
Shif t Lock Release . 497
......................
Auxiliary Input Jack .389
Battery Charging System ...........................
Indicator .65, 596
............................
Jump Starting .591
..............................
Maintenance .577
.................
Management System . 87
............................
Specif ications .615
..............................
Bef ore Driving .467
....................................
Belts,Seat .8,20
.........................
Beverage Holders .214 Blind Spot Inf ormation System
...........................................
(BSI) .519
...................
Audio . 281,376
...............
HandsFreeLink. 407, 424
..................................
Booster Seats .54
Brakes ...........
Anti-lock System (ABS) . 508
.............
Break-in, New Linings . 468
...........................................
Fluid .553
.......................................
Parking .212
.................
System Indicator . 65,598
........................
Wear Indicators .507
.............................
Braking System .507
.................
Break-in, New Vehicle . 468
Brightness Control, ...............................
Instruments .143
....................................
Built-In Key .201
Bluetooth
Bluetooth
A
B
I
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INDEXA B C D E F G H I J K L \℮M N O P Q R S T U V W X \℮Y Z
2012 TL
Bulb Replacement..........................
Back-up Lights .562
.........
Daytime Running Lights . 555
.................................
Fog Lights .560
.................................
Headlights .555
............................
Specif ications .615
............
Turn Signal Lights . 558,562
......................
Bulbs, Halogen .555, 560
............................
Capacities Chart .614
.............
Carbon Monoxide Hazard . 57
............................
Carrying, Cargo .481
.............
CAUTION, Explanation of . iii
.........................................
CD Care .381
...................................
CD Changer .253
.......................................
CD Player .307
........................
Certif ication Label .612
............................................
Chains .575
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .583
Changing Oil ........................................
How to .544
......................................
When to .531
...
Charging System Indicator . 65,596
............
Checklist, Bef ore Driving . 486.....................................
Child Saf ety .37
..............................
Booster Seats .54
...................................
Child Seats .45
..........................................
Inf ants .42
............................
Large Children .53
.........................................
LATCH .47
......................
Risks with Airbags .38
.............................
Small Children .43
.........................................
Tethers .51
.....................
Warning Labels .39, 59
.........
Where Should a Child Sit? . 38
.......................................
Child Seats .45
.........................................
LATCH .47
..........
Tether Anchorage Points . 51
................
Childproof Door Locks . 153
................
Cleaning the Seat Belts . 564
..........
Client Service Inf ormation . 630
.......
Climate Control System . 226,227
..........................
On/Off Button .229
..............................................
Clock .391
...................................
Clutch Fluid .554
..................
CO in the Exhaust . 57,623
....
Cold Weather, Starting in . 487,489
......................
Compact Spare Tire .582
.........................................
Compass .397
.................
Console Compartment . 216.................
Consumer Inf ormation . 630
.............
Controls, Instruments and . 61
Coolant ........................................
Adding .546
....................................
Checking .475
.........................
Proper Solution .546
...................
Temperature Gauge . 77
........
Water Temp Hot Message . 77
Crankcase Emissions Control ........................................
System .623
................
Cruise Control Indicator . 72
............
Cruise Control Operation . 401
...................................
Cup Holders .214
.............
Customer Service Of f ice . 630
........................
Customized Settings .94
...............
DANGER, Explanation of . iii
...................................
Dashboard .3, 62
..............
Daytime Running Lights . 142
.................................
Dead Battery .591
............
Def ects, Reporting Saf ety . 632
..............
Def ogger, Rear Window . 145
..............
Def rosting the Windows . 231
....................................
Dimensions .614
D
C
II
11/01/14 19:44:44 31TK4630_641
INDEXA B C D E F G H I J K L \℮M N O P Q R S T U V W X \℮Y Z
2012 TL
Î
..............................
Economy, Fuel .476
Electronic Stability Control ............................
(ESC) System .510
..................................
Emergencies .581
.............
Battery, Jump Starting . 591
...........
Brake System Indicator . 598
................
Changing a Flat Tire . 583
.....
Charging System Indicator . 596
..................
Checking the Fuses . 600
.......
Hazard Warning Flashers . 145
.........
If the Engine Won’t Start . 588
......
If Your Vehicle Gets Stuck . 609
............................
Jump Starting .591
.....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 595
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 597
Manually Opening Fuel Fill .......................................
Door .599
..................
Overheated Engine . 593
.......................................
Towing .607
.........................
Emergency Brake .212
..............
Emergency Engine Start . 490
....................
Emergency Flashers .145 ......................
Emergency Towing .607
..........
Emergency Trunk Opener . 156
.......................
Emissions Controls .623
........................
Emissions Testing .626
Engine ............
Adding Engine Coolant . 546
....
Coolant Temperature Gauge . 77
.........................
If It Won’t Start .588
Malf unction Indicator ................................
Lamp .64, 597
.................................
Oil Lif e .85, 531
........
Oil Pressure Indicator . 64,595
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use . 543
...............................
Overheating .593
............................
Specif ications .615
....................
Speed Limiter . 492, 497
.............
Start/Stop Button . 183, 188
..............................
Starting .487, 489
Starting System .........................
Message .488, 490
......
Engine Compartment Covers . 542
..............................
Engine Coolant .546
....
Engine Start/Stop Button . 183,188
......................
Ethanol in Gasoline .469
.............
Dimming the Headlights . 139
Dipstick ..........
Automatic Transmission . 549
..................................
Engine Oil .474
........................
Directional Signals .139
........
Disc Brake Wear Indicators . 507
.................................
Disc Changer .253
...
Disc Changer Error Messages . 263
.....................
Disposal of Used Oil .546
Doors .....
Lock Button, Outer Handle . 176
..........
Lockout Prevention . 153,177
.................
Monitor Indicator . 12,71
....................
Power Door Locks . 152
.
Unlock Sensor, Outer Handle . 175
........
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 617
Downshif ting, ..............
Manual Transmission . 491
....................
D-Paddle Shif t Mode .499
...........
Driver and Passenger Safety . 5
...........................................
Driving .485
....................................
Economy .476
Driving Position Memory ........................................
System .170
Dual Temperature and Mode .......................................
Control .232 ..................
Dust and Pollen Filter . 566
E
III
11/01/14 19:44:51 31TK4630_642
INDEXA B C D E F G H I J K L \℮M N O P Q R S T U V W X \℮Y Z
ÎU. S .
:
2012 TL
...................................
Fan, Interior .230
.........................................
Features .225
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank . 470
Filters .........................
Dust and Pollen .566
...............................................
Oil .544
...........
Flashers, Hazard Warning . 145
...................
Flat Tire, Changing a . 583
.....................................
Floor Mats .565
Fluids ..........
Automatic Transmission . 549
..........................................
Brake .553
.........................................
Clutch .554
..............
Manual Transmission . 551
................
Windshield Washers . 548
FM Stereo Radio ...................................
Reception .385
.....................................
Fog Lights .143
........................
Four-way Flashers .145 ..............................
Front Airbags .9 ,26
....................................
Front Seats .161
....................................
Adjusting .161
.....................................
Airbags .9, 26
..............................
Heaters .202, 204
.................................
Ventilation .204
.................................................
Fuel .468
......................
Fill Door and Cap .470
...........................................
Gauge .76
.....................
Low Fuel Indicator .73
................
Octane Requirement . 468
...............................
Oxygenated .469
........................
Tank, Filling the .470
...............................
Fuel Economy .476
.....................
Fuses, Checking the .600
.
Evaporative Emissions Controls . 623
...............................
Exhaust Fumes .57
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat ........................................
Belts by .18
.......................
Halogen Bulbs .555, 560
......
HandsFreeLink
(HFL) . 407,424
............
Hazard Warning Flashers . 145
Hard Disc Drive (HDD), ........................................
Playing .320
...............
Gas Mileage, Improving . 476
.........................................
Gasoline .468
...........................................
Gauge .76
.....................
Low Fuel Indicator .73
................
Octane Requirement . 468
........................
Tank, Ref ueling .470
................
Gas Station Procedures . 470Gauges
...
Engine Coolant Temperature . 77
...............................................
Fuel .76
Gearshif t Lever Positions ..........
Automatic Transmission . 494
..............
Manual Transmission . 491
......................................
Glove Box .216
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating .............................
(GVWR) .483, 614
H
G
F
IV
11/01/14 19:44:57 31TK4630_643
INDEXA B C D E F G H I J K L \℮M N O P Q R S T U V W X \℮Y Z
2012 TL
............
Normal Shif t Speeds . 492,503
...................
NOTICE, Explanation of . i
...............
Numbers, Identif ication . 612..............................
Paddle Shif ters .499
............
Panel Brightness Control . 143
........................
Park Gear Position .495
...........................................
Parking .506
...............................
Parking Brake .212
Parking Brake and Brake .................
System Indicator . 65,598
...............................
Parking Lights .139
..
Parking Over Things that Burn . 506
....
Passenger Airbag Of f Indicator . 34
.............................
PGM-FI System .624
..................
Phonetic Modif ication . 335
...................................
Pollen Filter .566
..................................
Power Mode .184
.................
ACCESSORY Mode . 185
...................................
ON Mode .185
....................
START Mode .187, 188
..............
VEHICLE OFF Mode . 185
...............
Power Socket Locations . 213
............................
Power Windows .206
.........
Pregnancy, Using Seat Belts . 18
.........
Protecting Adults and Teens . 11
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 19
.....
Advice f or Pregnant Women . 18........................
Protecting Children .37
.....................
General Guidelines .37
.......................
Protecting Inf ants .42
.......
Protecting Larger Children . 53
.........
Protecting Small Children . 43
Using Child Seats with .....................................
Tethers .51
.............................
Using LATCH .47
..................
Protecting Your Discs . 381
...................
Radiator Overheating . 593
...
Radio/Disc Sound System . 236,285
.................
Radio Thef t Protection . 390
............................
Radio, XM
. 246, 299
...................
Readiness Codes . 597,626
..
Rear Lights, Bulb Replacement . 562
........................
Rear Seat Armrest .166
...
Rearview Camera and Monitor . 465
...........................
Rearview Mirror .167
...............
Rear Window Def ogger . 145
.............
Reclining the Seat Backs . 161
...
Octane Requirement, Gasoline . 468
.........................................
Odometer .82
Oil ........................
Change, How to .544
......................
Change, When to .531
......................
Checking Engine .474
..............
Pressure Indicator . 64,595
Selecting Proper Viscosity ..............................
Chart .543, 544
.........
ON (Ignition Key Position) . 151
....
ON Mode (Power Mode) . 184,185
Onboard Ref ueling Vapor ....................................
Recovery .623
...........................
Operating Range .174
............................
Outside Mirrors .168
.....................
Outside Temperature .85
....................
Overheating, Engine .593
....
Owner’s Maintenance Checks . 539
.........................
Oxygenated Fuels .469 P
R
O
VII
11/01/17 13:18:49 31TK4630_646
INDEXA B C D E F G H I J K L \℮M N O P Q R S T U V W X \℮Y Z
2012 TL
Unexpected, Taking Care..........................................
of the .581
....
Unif orm Tire Quality Grading . 617
........................
Unleaded Gasoline .468 USB Adapter
..................
Cable . 266,275,356,367
.......
Used Oil, How to Dispose of . 546
............
WARNING, Explanation of . iii
................................
Vanity Mirror .217
.................
Vehicle Capacity Load . 482
......................
Vehicle Dimensions .614
VEHICLE OFF Mode ...................
(Power Mode) . 184,185
....
Vehicle Identif ication Number . 612
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA
),
aka Electronic Stability ....
Control (ESC), System . 510
...............
VSA Of f Indicator . 68,510
.......................
VSA OFF Switch .511
........
VSA System Indicator . 68,510
.............................
Vehicle Storage .578
.................................................
VIN .612
.........................
Viscosity, Oil .543, 544
...........
Voice Control System . 228,285
...............................................
Tires .568
......................
Air Pressure .568, 570
........................................
Chains .575
.........................
Checking Wear .571
..........................
Compact Spare .582
......
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 617
.
Glossary of Tire Terminology . 620
......................................
Inf lation .568
..................................
Inspection .571
...................................
Replacing .573
......................................
Rotating .573
................................
Service Lif e .572
...........................................
Snow .575
....................
Specif ications .574, 616
.......................
Traction Devices .575
..........................
Winter Driving .575
...................
Tools, Tire Changing . 584
Torque Distribution Monitor ...............................
(SH-AWD
) .504
Towing .....................................
A Trailer .528
................
Emergency Wrecker . 607
...........................................
Hook .609
...........................
Traction Devices .575 Transmission
Checking Fluid Level, ..............................
Automatic .549
Checking Fluid Level, ...................................
Manual .551
..................
Fluid Selection . 550,551
..............
Identif ication Number . 613
.............
Shif ting the Automatic . 495
..................
Shif ting the Manual . 491
.....................................
Treadwear .617
................................
Trip Computer .83
.......................................
Trip Meter .83
..............................................
Trunk .154
..................
Emergency Opener . 156
...............................
Opening the .154
............................
Open Indicator .71
.............
Open Monitor Indicator . 12
..................................
Turn Signals .139
U V
W
X
11/01/17 13:18:59 31TK4630_649
INDEXA B C D E F G H I J K L \℮M N O P Q R S T U V W X \℮Y Z
2012 TL